The electorate will now be now placed between the devil and the deep blue sea come 2015. The Hobson’s choice we have is either to vote or not vote. Neither the People’s National Movement (PNM) nor the United National Congress (UNC) offers any hope. The other parties are of no material significance in the politics of T&T. The largest of these is the Congress Of the People (COP), which in its heyday, could not win a seat and 2015 will be worse for them, with or without a partnership. The key to the next election is the fence-sitter. Both the PNM and UNC have their diehards who see party primarily and not issues. The good thing about this is that these groups have shrunk and the fence-sitting group, which really determines which party will attain government, has grown. If we use the “28 per cent guaranteed PNM voters” rule of thumb, emanating from the “No vote” campaign in 1971, the PNM just needs 23 per cent of the remaining 72 per cent to form the next government, whereas any other party or coalition needs 51 per cent. This is why low voter turnout favours the PNM and high voter turnout favours the opposition.
High voter turnout is achieved by engaging the fence-sitters who look at issues. In our democratic system of governance, the government’s social contact with us is to create and practice policies of interest for the public good as well as ensure good corporate governance. Based on this, no number of improvement to infrastructure or projects completed or started can outweigh the policies of good corporate governance.
The PNM has a real golden opportunity to get the remaining 23 per cent but to date it has not begun to so do. Criticising what has been and is occurring now in our country, without proffering solutions or distancing itself from its previous ills, cannot win votes. What is the social contract that it will form with us? Belly-aching and calling for elections are not the answers. Let the country know what it will do to address the current ills of alleged corruption, perceived mismanagement and poor corporate governance and in what time frame. The existing government, though having a steep uphill task to continue after the 2015 elections, needs to address a few critical items in its manifesto. Firstly, people must feel safe at home and in public. Reduction in crime is of not much significance in this regard and this is not providing human security. Anyone can lie with statistics. Crime prevention is key, spanning the spectrum of policing, judiciary, schools/training, home and employment opportunities. The heightened presence of police on the roads is commendable.
Secondly, we must feel cared-for and it makes no sense building new health facilities if we cannot even provide proper care in the existing ones. This is not taking health care to the people.
Thirdly, illegal quarrying, destruction of the mangroves and swamps, disregard for protected flora and fauna and non-enforcement of our laws are not managing our environment.
Fourthly, practising good governance. There is too great a lack of transparency and accountability in government’s existing operations. This last item is the one per cent that will topple this government because it speaks of authoritarianism, bankrupting the country, profiteering and encouraging unwanted criminal activity. It far outweighs the 99 per cent of fixing roads, building box drains and expanding post-secondary educational facilities. There is too much intellectual capital in both the PNM and UNC to treat us, the electorate, as fools by continuously making wild promises and having emotional outbursts. PNM, don’t criticise but offer solutions. Government, don’t defend irrationally but correct wrongs regarding transparency and accountability.
Will we be between the devil and the deep blue sea in 2015? Or, will our vote have value?
Harjoon Heeralal,
Carapichaima